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Bravery deserves better recognition

DEAR SIR,

I wish to congratulate SIP CHRIS Pedder of EU KW
on the award of a Commanding Officer's Commendation for the rescue of a mentally disturbed
man form Victoria Harbour, HQO 197 of 1997 Part 2.
I was more than a little surprised and disappointed though to see that his actions were
commended only at this level. To follow a man swimming into one of the world's busiest harbours,
to grapple with him while avoiding ships there until rescue boats arrived and to subsequently save
his life, all in pitch darkness, is surely courage or bravery of the highest order.
Many officers who have rescued people in similar circumstances in the past have, quite
deservedly, had their efforts recognised with a Governor's Commendation although I am sure that
this has not been their motivation nor will it be in the future.
It would be a pity if, on this occasion, the commendation had been 'downgraded' because
no one has yet decided what to replace the Governor's Commendation with, wouldn't it?

Yours sincerely,
Martin Cadman

REPLY . . .

DEAR SIR,

In response to Martin Cadman's letter, my
decision to recognise Mr Pedder's courageous act with an award of a Commanding Officer's
Commendation was made prior to the return of sovereignty and with full cognition of the
circumstances.

Yours faithfully,
J H Walker,
Regional Commander, Kowloon West

Market crisis
The following letter was sent to CP Hui Ki-on from the Director of Agriculture and Fisheries . . .

DEAR MR HUI KI-ON,

I write to express my sincere thanks to you
and through you to Mrs Bonnie Smith, District Commander Sham Shui Po, and to Mr K F Chau,
ADC Crime Sham Shui Po and their team for the excellent work and support rendered us in taking
action to tighten up control on the Cheung Sha Wan Temporary Wholesale Poultry Market.
Their prompt and decisive action has won the confidence of traders and operators in the
Market and is applauded by the community at large.
The re-opening of the Market and the resumption of import of live chickens on 7 February
have been widely reported. Among the many issues commented on was the action of removing
the container office (the occupant being the operator of the Servicing Company), which attracted
most attention and was highlighted by many newspapers.
Without the presence of the police and in particular the team lead by Mrs Smith, this
would not have been possible. Mrs Smith, Mr Chau and their team of staff have indeed done a first
class job. Their professionalism and dedication are highly commendable.
The action taken on 7 February is a significant step forward in combating triad activities
in the area. I look forward to their continued and unfailing support in making the wholesale
markets a "cleaner and safer" place for people to trade.
Thank you once again and congratulations to the Sham Shui Po Police.

I am a District Traffic Team officer and have
recently been issued with a new Gortex multi-purpose jacket. It keeps me warm despite the chilly
winter weather.
However, the helmet which I wear had no visor when issued to me, so I purchased one
myself. Even so, it does not prevent chilly winds from penetrating into my body from my jaw,
causing me a stiff face and a runny nose.
I think the Force Uniform and Accoutrements Committee should start issuing District
Traffic Team officers the same helmets that are used by Traffic officers.

Yours sincerely,
PC Lee Chi-wah,
PSU-3 Sai Kung

REPLY . . .

DEAR SIR,

The issue of the full face helmet has been
raised and discussed in the Junior Consultative Council, Monthly Traffic Conference and Force
Uniform and Accoutrements Committee and a Chief of Staff Paper was prepared prior to its
introduction ((134) in CP/T 158/7/1 II refers).
The full face helmet was introduced after a series of trials and evaluations. The main
points being safety, comfort and practicality. It was concluded the full face helmet is best suited
for use when officers are driving at speed on expressways, that is, when safety needs are greater,
when there is greater cooling effect from faster air flow (during the warmer months full face helmets
are uncomfortably hot if ventilation is insufficient); and when there is a lesser need to talk to
members of the public. For urban patrolling it was concluded open face helmets are best, when
there are frequent stops and starts at lower speeds and a greater need to converse with members of
the public.
Traffic officers are issued with both types of helmet.
District Traffic Teams are only issued with the open type of helmet, as this is best suited
for their role. Keeping officers warm in the winter was not considered a major factor. However, use
of a visor does help in keeping warm. It also offers better facial protection and is very adaptable as
officers can lift it up.
Visors are a standard optional extra item of equipment available from police stores and
their is no need for officers to purchase their own.
Helmets and other items of traffic equipment are regularly reviewed by the Traffic Uniform
Sub Committee. Your correspondent is welcome to pass views through the JPOA representative on
the committee, or directly to Lau To-sang, CIP Support TBHQ on 2860-2554.

E. Crowter,
for Commissioner of Police

OBITUARY

KEITH WOODROW1927 - 1997

KEITH Woodrow, who joined the Hong Kong Police
in 1954 and retired in 1975 in the rank of Senior Superintendent, died suddenly in Edinburgh,
Scotland, on 27 December 1997.
Born on 27 August 1927, Mr Woodrow resigned his post as a police constable in the Argyll
County Police in Scotland, before joining the Hong Kong Police in January 1954.
During a distinguished career that spanned 21 years Mr Woodrow, who received the Colonial
Police Long Service Medal and 1st Clasp, was commended by the Commissioner of Police on several
occasions "for consistently good work during the period from January 1955 to August 1955"; "for the
very high standard of his work between May 1956 and May 1957"; and "for the excellent powers of
leadership displayed under most difficult conditions in maintaining traffic communication throughout
Hong Kong in the aftermath of Typhoon Mary in June 1960".
Mr Woodrow's funeral took place at Kirn Parish Church, Dunoon, on Saturday 3 January, 1998,
and he was laid to rest at Kilmun Cemetery on the same day.
He is survived by his widow, Morag.
Mr Woodrow is deeply missed by all those in the Hong Kong Police Force who served with him.

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